I can certainly give B/A credit where credit is due. They have an outstanding career record and yes, have done much for US ice dance. But that doesn't change the fact that I don't get much out of their performances and they have simply never caught my attention. Which is really odd because prior to them, I followed US ice dance very closely. It always goes back to that intangible "it" factor for me, and B/A have never had "it". For me. That's all I can say. As lmarie put it, it's all your personal preference.

But if we are talking B&A v. D&W... D&W are not even in the picture. They are frantic and sloppy, IMO. She is a pretty weak skater. And despite them being so frantic, they still manage to be boring at the same time.

Tanith is far from being the strongest lady in the current field, but I feel she's still stronger than Meryl. And Tanith has managed to improve on her toe point/free leg extension, while Meryl is still very sloppy in this aspect. Tanith's posture is far better, too.

Tanith is far from being the strongest lady in the current field, but I feel she's still stronger than Meryl. And Tanith has managed to improve on her toe point/free leg extension, while Meryl is still very sloppy in this aspect. Tanith's posture is far better, too.

Why can't we say that both are improving? Tanith was definitely breaking at the waist at some points in the FD; so was Meryl. Both still need to point their toes/turn out more. Tanith's extension IS better at this point, but I think Meryl's edges are better (though Tanith's are much better than they used to be). At this point, I'd say they're pretty close.
And if Meryl is a weak skater, then so is Melissa Gregory (and I actually like G/P).
Actually, something the three teams mentioned here have in common is that the men are generally considered to be much the stronger partner. I feel that Melissa improved immensely with Linichuk as coach, so it doesn't surprise me that Tanith is already showing visible improvement. I think Meryl can still learn from Igor, but if he does what he did with B/A and just masks weaknesses rather than addressing them, I would hope she and Charlie make a coaching change as well.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing the results of the hard work that both teams do over the off season. I love having so many wonderful US teams to root for.

Why can't we say that both are improving? Tanith was definitely breaking at the waist at some points in the FD; so was Meryl. Both still need to point their toes/turn out more. Tanith's extension IS better at this point, but I think Meryl's edges are better (though Tanith's are much better than they used to be). At this point, I'd say they're pretty close.
And if Meryl is a weak skater, then so is Melissa Gregory (and I actually like G/P).
Actually, something the three teams mentioned here have in common is that the men are generally considered to be much the stronger partner. I feel that Melissa improved immensely with Linichuk as coach, so it doesn't surprise me that Tanith is already showing visible improvement. I think Meryl can still learn from Igor, but if he does what he did with B/A and just masks weaknesses rather than addressing them, I would hope she and Charlie make a coaching change as well.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing the results of the hard work that both teams do over the off season. I love having so many wonderful US teams to root for.

Wonderful post!

I'm still trying to figure out why so many posters think it's necessary to bash some skaters to make their own favourites look better... I don't think that strategy is working either...

But if we are talking B&A v. D&W... D&W are not even in the picture. They are frantic and sloppy, IMO. She is a pretty weak skater. And despite them being so frantic, they still manage to be boring at the same time.

I have always found Gregory/Petukhov to be among the most boring ice dancers of all time. Apparently the ISU judges aren't that thrilled with them either, because their best finish at Worlds was 9th, back in 2005. And "frantic, sloppy" D/W finished 7th to G/P's 10th at Worlds 2007, in D/W's first appearance at Worlds.

IMO, G/P are done. If they do return to Nationals in 2010, they are very unlikely to make the podium.

G&P are awesome people, but sadly they are not great COP modern day dancers. Nor were they ever great for posture, either.

OTOH, they seem to be really getting some credentials as choreographers. That is a career path that promises much more for them than a return to eligible skating.

They have been to worlds; they have been to Olympics. Even should they compete this year at US Nationals and qualify for worlds or Olympics this next year due to either retirements (B&A) or injuries of other skaters, they are not going to medal at either event.

Their desire to go through the expense and grief for so little reward is puzzling to me, but I guess everyone has to have a dream.

In Ice Dance, it is all about the female partner. Unfortunately, both ladies in US top teams are overshadowed by male partners. That's one of the main reasons I believe both teams will have hard time being at the top of the podium. However, I will take Tanith any day over Meryl. She actually improved a lot since move to Linichuk.

We like beer flat as can be.
We like our dogs with mustard and relish.
We got a great pitcher what's his name.
Well we can't even spell it.
We don't worry about the pennant much.
We just like to see the boys hit it deep.
There's nothing like the view from the cheap seats.

The game was close, we'll call it a win.
Go off to toast the boys again.

With G&P, it makes me happy to see them skate really well, and feel happy about how they skated.

The danger with this kind of team (and fandom) is the perceived necessity to downgrade the achievements of teams that do better than our adored ones. It's particularly difficult when a younger team passes your older more favorite team.

A lot of the considerable chatter about Tanith's posture started due to unhappiness by Lang & Tchernyshev fans when B&A passed them-Naomi had lousy work ethic, but she had wonderful ballet posture.

I know. I *loved* L&T, particularly their 2002 Flamenco OD. I was not happy when B&A passed them by. However, by the time B&A skated to Shadritsa, I had gotten over that.

With G&P, it makes me happy to see them skate really well, and feel happy about how they skated.

The danger with this kind of team (and fandom) is the perceived necessity to downgrade the achievements of teams that do better than our adored ones. It's particularly difficult when a younger team passes your older more favorite team.

A lot of the considerable chatter about Tanith's posture started due to unhappiness by Lang & Tchernyshev fans when B&A passed them-Naomi had lousy work ethic, but she had wonderful ballet posture.

I know. I *loved* L&T, particularly their 2002 Flamenco OD. I was not happy when B&A passed them by. However, by the time B&A skated to Shadritsa, I had gotten over that.

I'm still trying to figure out why so many posters think it's necessary to bash some skaters to make their own favourites look better... I don't think that strategy is working either...

The depth of dislike for some skaters by some posters knows no bounds. I don't think that strategy works, either, it just stirs up anger.

Originally Posted by chuckm

I have always found Gregory/Petukhov to be among the most boring ice dancers of all time. Apparently the ISU judges aren't that thrilled with them either, because their best finish at Worlds was 9th, back in 2005. And "frantic, sloppy" D/W finished 7th to G/P's 10th at Worlds 2007, in D/W's first appearance at Worlds.

IMO, G/P are done. If they do return to Nationals in 2010, they are very unlikely to make the podium.

Well, I try not to diminish another team on the nit picky or technical aspects. I like Melissa and Denis' skating. That's just me, normally that style doesn't appeal to me, but they sell it well and they are a cute couple. They're also sweet as can be and down to earth. That's not to say other teams aren't I just got emotionally invested in this team early.

That isnt to say that there aren't teams that are better - I can't say that - I just like them better. I don't think I've ever thought Tanith and Ben should be second to them... I do feel there has been a little politiking when it comes to G/P and certain scores/standings within the US, but again that's me. I don't think the USFSA will be pulling strings for them to make the Olympic team, that's for sure.

I like a lot of the US Dance teams, seeing dance live is so much easier than seeing it on TV (or computer screen) I don't know why but I understand it more lol